A Case Study of the Desertification of Haiti

Vereda Williams

Abstract

Although Haiti is one of the largest Caribbean nations only 20% of the land under cultivation is appropriate for agriculture. Once covered by forest, this country has been heavily logged and now mostly deforested. The majority of the arable land is being farmed beyond their carrying capacity. The total area under agriculture production is 6 times greater than the estimated areas suitable for agriculture resulting in significant deterioration of the land. Both national and international governments have made several attempts to combat desertification but few initiatives have been successful. This research will (1) review the current literature pertaining to desertification, with special emphasis on Haiti, (2) review the impact of internal and external programs designed to reverse the effects of desertification, (3) compare the indicators of desertification that exist on the island of Hispaniola, and (4) discuss the consequences of desertification for Haiti.